17:45 Southwell

Friday 14 February 2020

All17:1017:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

BetYourWay At Betway Handicap

Off time: 17:48 | Winning time: 2m 23.08s

(7)

Phoenix Dawn^b³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: L Allan| OR: 55

10/1

Poor sort these days (1-16 on the Flat); having his first taste of this unique surface today (sire has a poor record here). Ran better last time dropped to a seller on the AW but doesn't look up to winning in handicap company these days.

Form: 2777/0-3

(3)

Earl Of Bunnacurry^p1²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: D C Costello| T: K Frost| OR: 54| C

12/1

Course winner (1m) although that win came when he was in better form in late-2018 for his previous stable. Now with Kevin Frost he's twice run below form since the stable switch; cheekpieces go on for the first-time.

Form: 46830-7

(9)

Brooklyn Boy¹⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Hart| T: I Furtado| OR: 54

9/4

Starts out on the Fibresand for a new yard having previously been with Harry Dunlop. Failed to show that much ability for his previous yard and remains a maiden after eight starts; hope pinned on changed circumstances firing him up.

Form: 7/30350-

(4)

Palazzo^p,t¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: G Lee| T: B Smart| OR: 52| C

6/1

Recorded his only victory here last month over 1m in a weak contest and made rather heavy weather of the whole business. Unsurprisingly he hasn't managed to follow up that win; often starts slowly and this trip is a step into the unknown.

Form: 074-124

(8)

Atalanta Queen^v²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: David Probert| T: R Brisland| OR: 51| BF| C

3/1

Consistent sort around here having recorded three course wins at up to 1m. Didn't travel well on her last start here but wasn't disgraced last time on Polytrack; takes a significant step up in trip but in the equation if she stays; visor back on.

Form: 126-724

(5)

Optima Petamus^p²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: Ben Robinson| T: L Bailey| OR: 48

7/1

A career-record of 2-51 probably sum up this unreliable character who ended a very long losing run at Newcastle in December over 1m4f. Below form last time (trip, 1m, too short); cheekpieces wore for last win back on; chance if others falter.

Form: 641-257

(2)

Port Lairge⁵⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 8-12| J: Izzy Clifton⁽⁷⁾| T: M C Chapman| OR: 45

150/1

it's been a long time since he's been one to be interested in for investment purposes having turned into a thoroughly unreliable performer. Shows little inclination to race these days and best left alone.

Form: 5075/80-

(1)

Amber Rock^p,t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: J L Eyre| OR: 45

6/1

Modest maiden but one that has less convictions than most of these and has run well twice in basement handicaps here over 1m. Turned in a respectable effort last time; may well stay this trip returning to a surface he's proven on.

Form: 738-835

Non-Runners

(6)

Bolt N Brown⁹

Weight: 9-6| Age: 4

T: Miss Gay Kelleway J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Brooklyn Boy (9/4), Bolt N Brown (9/4), Atalanta Queen (3/1), Palazzo (6/1), Amber Rock (6/1), Optima Petamus (7/1), Phoenix Dawn (10/1), Earl Of Bunnacurry (12/1), Port Lairge (150/1)

The quality of form in this is relatively weak and that’s to be expected in a low-grade contest such as this. Atalanta Queen has demonstrated her effectiveness on Fibresand but she’s never been this far before on the surface and she has to prove her stamina. Palazzo is another course winner for whom this trip could be one step beyond whilst Optima Petamus is one whose stamina is guaranteed even though he’s not the most reliable of sorts. AMBER ROCK is given a tentative vote having twice run well here in similar company and being relatively lightly-raced she may well enjoy this step up in trip.